Communication is the foundation of any business. Without effective communication, companies would be unable to understand or meet their clients’ needs, delegate work to employees, or inform the marketplace of new services and products. In the manufacturing industry, it’s vital that businesses not only have proven internal communication methods in place, but effective ones.
The right communication tools ensure that your employees can effectively follow manufacturing processes and safety protocols. They can also help your employees feel more engaged in the work they’re doing and as a result, boost overall morale among staff. Find out how having the right systems in place can ensure you and your employees are able to communicate effectively while on the job.
Types of Communication Systems Most Commonly Used in Manufacturing
MES Systems
A manufacturing execution system, or MES system, maintains communication between machines within your factory. This system is also responsible for monitoring every step of the manufacturing process, ensuring that all operations are executed per industry, and company standards, and allowing your employees to ensure your shop floor is operating at peak efficiency.
Mass Communication Software
This type of software allows organizations to execute communication across multiple channels within their organizations. That can include phone calls or email messages, as well as social media, text messages, or custom channels.
Andon Systems
Frequently used in factories, Andon systems exist to help workers and managers quickly receive a notification when a problem occurs within the plant. In some cases, these may require manual activation by a worker who can push a button or pull a cord to activate the alert. However, more advanced Andon systems can activate automatically when the machinery fails.
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Systems
OEE systems help factory managers and workers improve their efficiency by providing an OEE score, which indicates the amount of productive manufacturing time within the plant.
Visual Management Systems
Visual management systems help factory managers quickly analyze performance data and identify problems as they arise. These systems include color-coded displays that provide real-time metrics and status updates.
What to Look For in a Communication System
There are several factors you should consider when selecting the right communication tools for your manufacturing business. The systems you implement should ensure that your factory experiences an increase in vital metrics such as accuracy, control, scale, and speed. Just as importantly, you should look for a system provider that takes into account the unique needs of your industry and factory. Consider the following when selecting the right tools for your business.
Customization
The communication systems you choose to implement in your business should include the option to customize features to align with your unique needs and goals.
Costs
Implementing a new communication system in your business should contribute to an overall reduction in the cost of production. If implementing new tools increases your overall costs, it’s probably not the best choice for your company.
Downtime Improvements
Downtime is a problem in any factory. Whether it’s the result of malfunctioning equipment, machines waiting for parts to process, or slow resolution times when things go wrong, downtime usually results in enormous expenses for factories. As such, it’s important to find communication tools, particularly MES systems, Andon systems, and visual management systems, that alert workers to problems as soon as they occur and enable management to fix issues as quickly as possible.
Finding the right communication tools for your manufacturing business can be an absolute game-changer. Implementing automated systems that identify potential issues and alert workers to urgent malfunctions or production stoppages can enable your team to work faster and more efficiently, and increase the quality of the goods you’re producing.
